To diehard fans of roots-reggae, Ronnie Davis is forever linked to The Itals, a group best known for spiritual anthems like In A Dis Ya Time.

But for his latest project, an acoustic album titled Iyahcoustic, the 66-year-old singer flies solo. It is scheduled for release in August, weeks before Davis heads to Europe for a series of shows.

The album is produced by Henry Buckley Jnr, better known as singer Sadiki.

“It was Sadiki’s idea an’ I love it from the start. It’s kinda different an’ unusual but still have the reggae flavour,” said Davis.

The set will be promoted by Buckley’s Skinny Bwoy Records, based in Chicago.

It includes Davis originals such as No Weak Heart, False Leader and Got To Go Home. Accompanying him on the songs is guitarist Mitchum ‘Khan’ Chin, who worked on similar albums by singers Tarrus Riley and Richie Spice.

Sydney ‘Congo Billy’ Watson and Buckley play percussions.

The Westmoreland-born Davis was a member of The Tennors, another successful group, before joining The Itals in 1976.

The Tennors are famous for the songs Pressure And Slide and Ride Your Donkey, done in the late 1960s.

To date, Davis has released four solo albums.

— Howard Campbell